Spanish
LONDON.— In a historic shift towards technology, Wimbledon kicked off its 2025 edition without the presence of line judges, replaced by an electronic system that uses recorded voices to call the decisions of whether a ball is in or out. This modernization puts the oldest Grand Slam tournament in tune with other elite tennis events, with the exception of the French Open, which continues with human judges.
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The measure was well received by sports figures such as John McEnroe, three-time Wimbledon champion, known for his famous arguments with the umpires. "If necessary, I think it's great... at least you know you're getting the right decision," said McEnroe, now a commentator for ESPN and the BBC. Players like Aryna Sabalenka and Cameron Norrie also praised the change. Sabalenka highlighted the tranquility that comes from not having to decide whether or not to challenge a play, while Norrie valued the clarity of the system, although he lamented the loss of the "classic atmosphere" generated by the line judges. The technological implementation also led to a reduction in on-court staff, although some 80 judges were reinstated as assistants behind the scenes. Sally Bolton, CEO of the All England Club, clarified that the decision is not due to economic reasons, but to the search for precision and evolution of the tournament. Frenchman Adrian Mannarino summed up the general feeling: "You can't complain against the machine." Although some players mentioned some auditory confusion on nearby courts, most agreed that it is a positive step forward. With this decision, Wimbledon reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the delicate balance between tradition and innovation in the world of tennis.
